Mountain High has lessons for every skier and snowboarder from 1-year-olds on “Virtual Snow®” to seniors 50+ in the STARS clinics.

Wrightwood, CA – December 26, 2011: Each year millions of skiers and snowboarders take to the slopes, and resorts accommodate them with a variety of lessons. With any new activity, it’s important to take a lesson and learn the fundamentals…but not everyone learns the same. Some respond well to verbal direction whereas others like to imitate an action after being shown. Some are fearful. Some may have disabilities. And some just want to roll with their friends. That is why Mountain High caters to these differences by offering a series of lesson programs beyond its traditional school and get guests swooshing down the slopes no matter what their age or gender.

Mountain High’s most popular lesson is the money-saving “3-Peat for Success” package for beginners ages 13 and up. Other popular programs include the Virtual Snow -snowsport simulator, women’s clinics, seniors programs, terrain park lessons, the Blue Angels multi-week children’s camp, and Team Mountain High coaching instruction.

3-Peat for Success –Beginners Package

Learning to ski or snowboard is as easy as 1…2…3 with the 3-Peat For Success from Mountain High. History has shown that beginners need at least three lessons to truly feel comfortable on the hill so Mountain High designed the 3-Peat program to take guests from never-evers to all mountain riders in three easy steps. For just $129 the 3-Peat For Success consists of three separate beginner packages that can be completed any three days of the season, non-holiday*. Each package includes an 8-hour lower-mountain lift ticket, complete ski or snowboard rentals, and a 1 hour and 45 minute lesson. With each day, the instruction advances one level, and guests can upgrade to an all-mountain ticket for just $12 after the 2nd and 3rd lessons. As an incentive to finish, participants receive a FREE 8-hour, all-mountain lift ticket once they’ve completed the program. Not including the lift ticket, the 3-Peat For Success represents a 49% savings over traditional beginner packages and can be purchased online at mthigh.com or at any Big 5 Sporting goods.

Virtual Snow® Snowsport Simulator

Mountain High is the first and only resort in the world to offer on-mountain Virtual Snow instruction. Not to be confused with magic carpet conveyors, Virtual Snow employs state-of-the-art technology to simulate a gravity-activated, downhill experience. It is considered to be the safest way to learn, and Mountain High uses it to teach skiers as young as 1 and snowboarders as early as 2. Students of all ages love Virtual Snow, and it’s been used by pop singer Pink and boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard. Lessons can be 100 percent on the simiulator or divided between it and the snow. Several Virtual Snow programs are available including parent-child packages and lessons for those with disabilities. For intermediates, Virtual Snow becomes a “sports lab” allowing instructors to immediately identify and correct faulty technique. It is also used by experts to refine their skills. Virtual Snow’s co-founder Bob Salerno was already a world champion when he first trained on the simulator. “The simulator made me twice the skier,” said Salerno. “Lubricated carpet is tougher than skiing through chopped up crud. If you can master our most complex moves here it’s all yours for the taking out on the white stuff.” Virtual Snow pricing begins at $95 for a one-person private lesson and group lessons are also available.

Terrain Park Lesson

Learn to ride the park with a Terrain Park lesson from Mountain High. Designed for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, levels 4-9, the daily session teaches guests how to navigate a wide variety of jumps, boxes, and rails in Mountain High’s legendary park. All lessons are taught by certified instructors and the small class sizes make them a great value. New for 2011-2012 are more entry-level features, perfect for building your comfort level and a 50 foot inflatable landing pad which is great for practicing new tricks. One hour and 45 minute lessons are $75 regularly and $85 weekends and holidays*. Lift tickets and rentals are not included.

Women’s Beginner Snowboard Clinic – Ages 30 Plus

Tired of hanging with the guys? The Women’s Beginner Snowboarding Clinics at Mountain High teach in a way that is supportive and nurturing, by female instructors who know what it’s like to learn as a woman. Lessons address pre-conditioning exercises, finding the right equipment, choosing appropriate clothing, overcoming fears, and much more. Refined over four years, these lessons are taught by certified female instructors and tailored to women’s unique learning styles to ensure rapid improvement and the refinement of techniques. Lessons are $135 for a 3-hour session and offered daily from 8am to 11am.

Senior STARS Clinic – Ages 50 Plus

Think you are too old to play? Mountain High’s Senior STARS Clinics will have you improving your technique and learning the movement patterns associated with the new shaped skis for just $20 every Wednesday. Located at the East Resort, the clinic also includes a continental breakfast and exercise techniques taught by certified senior instructors. Lift tickets are only $10 for participants or free if you are 70 or over. Equipment rentals including new shaped skis are $15.

Blue Angels – Youth Ski & Snowboard Series

The Blue Angels is a $799 five-week instructional series for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Catering to ages 7 to 13, the lessons are comprised of small groups led by professional instructors teaching mountain safety and proper techniques. Participants enjoy the thrill of snowboarding and skiing in a supportive, welcoming atmosphere and develop lasting friendships with their chaperones, instructors and classmates. The program includes round-trip luxury bus transportation from Orange County, 5 all-day lift tickets, professional instruction, adult supervision on and off the slopes, lunch and snacks, a FREE helmet from ProTec, and discounts on rental equipment. For complete details visit www.blueangelsnow.com.

Team Mountain High – Competitive Teaching Program

For competitors age 6-17, Team Mountain High provides coaching in skiing and snowboarding, and comprehensive techniques in both racing and freestyle competition. Although actual race and free-style course training with immediate feedback is emphasized, small group instruction also incorporates progression drills as well as individualized evaluations. The coaches are all certified by either the United States Ski and Snowboard Association or the United States of America Snowboard Association. Training is conducted at Mountain High Resort most Saturday and Sunday mornings (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.) throughout the season except on alternating Saturdays when competition specific training is held in the early evening (4 p.m. – 8 p.m.). Tentatively, over 30 training days/evenings are set for the season. Other training may be scheduled as needed. Parents of athletes are responsible for race registration, travel, lodging and chaperoning of competitors. A designated parent volunteer will coordinate event communication and administration information. Team Mountain High is not an introductory program; participants must be competent, independent non-beginners. Registration details are noted at www.teammountainhigh.com.

Says Cindy Shippy, Mountain High’s Resort Experience Manager, “We have certified instructors who love to teach and use the latest in techniques and equipment. They instill confidence in new participants of all ages and help them progress as quickly as possible. Most importantly, everyone has fun and leaves Mountain High smiling.”

Mountain High is Southern California’s closest winter resort located just an hour and a half from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (Mountain High East, West, and North), and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding Winter Sports School, and the region’s largest tubing area. Night skiing & snowboarding is available 5 nights-a-week and snowmaking covers more than 80% of the slopes. Mountain High has been the first resort to open in Southern California for the past 14 years and traditionally operates from mid November to mid April. Get more at mthigh.com.